US6402565B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic interconnect device for high speed signal and data transmission
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
•
Filing: 2000-11-17
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2020-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An electronic interconnect assembly has a high speed coaxial interconnect for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor. The coaxial interconnect has a male side and a female side, with the female side including a shield sleeve having a chamber that receives a male shield contact on the male side. The shield sleeve has a contact with a compliant portion that flexibly grips the male shield contact. A mechanical alignment facility includes a closely mating pocket and body, each attached to a respective male or female side of the interconnect. Additional data and power connectors may be included with the pocket and body.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Pooley
- 👤 Daniel J. Ayres
- 👤 M. David Swafford
- 👤 William Q. Law
- 👤 Michael L. Kyle
- 👤 J. Steven Lyford
- 👤 Jonathan E. Myers
- 👤 Mark W. Nightingale
- 👤 Jerry R. Shane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/15; H01R13/187; H01R13/646; H01R9/00; H01R9/03; H01R9/05; H01R9/0515; H01R13/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An electronic interconnect assembly comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a male side and a female side; the female side including a shield sleeve defining a chamber for receiving a male shield contact on the male side; the shield sleeve including a contact facility having a compliant portion operable to flexibly grip the male shield contact; a mechanical alignment facility having coarse and fine mechanical alignment portions with the coarse mechanical alignment portion including a closely mating pocket and body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and the fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed there and a key closely mating with the notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and one of the pocket and boy attached to the male side, the other of the pocket and body attached to the female side.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An electronic interconnect assembly comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a male side and a female side; the female side including a shield sleeve defining a chamber for receiving a male shield contact on the male side; the shield sleeve including a contact facility having a compliant portion operable to flexibly grip the male shield contact; a mechanical alignment facility having coarse and fine mechanical alignment portions with the coarse mechanical alignment portion including a closely mating pocket and body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and the fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed there and a key closely mating with the notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and one of the pocket and boy attached to the male side, the other of the pocket and body attached to the female side.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one side of the interconnect is connected to the floor of the pocket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interconnect is a blind mating interconnect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the assembly includes only a single high speed interconnect.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the male shield contact has a tapered exterior end portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including an electronic instrument to which one of the pocket and body is mounted, and wherein an associated side of the interconnect is electrically connected to circuitry in the instrument.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the female side of the interconnect is connected to the instrument.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the associated side of the interconnect is rigidly fixed to the instrument, such that application of a force to the interconnect side does not flex an electrical line connected to instrument circuitry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the key and the notch is positioned at the rim.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including an electronic probe to which an associated side of the interconnect is electrically connected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the male side of the interconnect includes a male signal portion having an elongated free end extending away from a shoulder portion, and wherein the female side includes a female signal portion having a free end face and defining a bore, and wherein the connection is fully made when the free end of the male portion is received in the bore, and the shoulder portion abuts the free end face.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including a spring latch facility operable to bias the shoulder portion against the free end face.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the shield sleeve of the female side includes a conductive stop portion operable to contact an end face of the male shield contact when the connection is fully made.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a signal connector having a first and second signal portion or respective sides of the interconnect, and wherein at least one of the first and second portions extends to a limited distance with respect to at least one of the shield sleeve and the male shield contact such that the shield is connected before the signal upon making a connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a separate electronic data interconnect having a first side connected to the pocket and a second side connected to the body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least one side of the data interconnect includes compliant contacts operable to contact a corresponding set of contacts on the other side, over a range of depths with which the body is inserted into the pocket, such that an insertion depth established by the coaxial interconnect may be accommodated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 15 where one side of the data interconnect includes pogo pins, and herein the other side includes a fixed contact surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the compliant contacts are contained within the pocket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body includes a free end surface, and wherein the coaxial interconnect side connected to the body is recessed below the end surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
182 words
An electronic interconnect assembly portion comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect portion for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a shield sleeve defining a chamber for receiving a shield contact; the shield sleeve including a contact facility having a compliant portion operable to flexibly grip the shield contact; a mechanical alignment facility portion selected from a pair of coarse mechanical alignment portions comprising a pocket and a closely mating body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, an a fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed therein and a key closely mating with the tapered notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and the interconnect portion connected to the selected mechanical alignment facility portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
182 words
An electronic interconnect assembly portion comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect portion for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a shield sleeve defining a chamber for receiving a shield contact; the shield sleeve including a contact facility having a compliant portion operable to flexibly grip the shield contact; a mechanical alignment facility portion selected from a pair of coarse mechanical alignment portions comprising a pocket and a closely mating body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, an a fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed therein and a key closely mating with the tapered notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and the interconnect portion connected to the selected mechanical alignment facility portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein one side of the interconnect is connected to the floor of the pocket.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the interconnect portion is part of a blind mating interconnect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the assembly includes only a single high speed interconnect.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus claim 20 including an electronic instrument to which mechanical alignment facility portion is mounted, and wherein the interconnect portion is electrically connected to circuitry in the instrument.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 20 including a separate electronic data interconnect portion connected to the mechanical alignment facility portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the data interconnect portion includes movable spring biased contacts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
173 words
An electronic interconnect assembly portion comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect portion for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a shield contact surrounding a signal contact; the shield contact having a tapered exterior end portion receivable in a shield sleeve; a mechanical alignment facility portion selected from a pair of coarse mechanical alignment portions comprising pocket and a closely mating body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and a fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed therein and a key closely mating with the tapered notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and the interconnect portion connected to the selected mechanical alignment facility portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
173 words
An electronic interconnect assembly portion comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect portion for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a shield contact surrounding a signal contact; the shield contact having a tapered exterior end portion receivable in a shield sleeve; a mechanical alignment facility portion selected from a pair of coarse mechanical alignment portions comprising pocket and a closely mating body wherein the pocket has a rim and a floor recessed below the rim such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and a fine mechanical alignment portion including a tapered notch defined in one of the pocket and body having a shouldered guide formed therein and a key closely mating with the tapered notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the shouldered guide of the notch receiving the key provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; and the interconnect portion connected to the selected mechanical alignment facility portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the interconnect portion is part of a blind mating interconnect.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 27 including an electronic probe to which the interconnect portion is electrically connected.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the central signal conductor has an elongated free end extending away from a shoulder portion, such that it is suitable for connection to a female signal portion having a free end face and defining a bore, with the shoulder portion abutting the free end face.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 27 including a separate electronic data interconnect having a first side connected to the pocket and a second side connected to the body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the data interconnect includes a printed circuit board having conductive lands facing an insertion direction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least two of the conductive lands are electrically shorted to each other.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
250 words
An electronic interconnect assembly comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a male side and a female side; the male side of the interconnect including a male signal portion having an elongated free end extending away from a shoulder portion; female side including a female signal portion having a free end face and defining a bore, and wherein the connection is fully made when the free end of the male portion is received in the bore, and the shoulder portion abuts the free end face; a mechanical alignment facility having coarse and fine mechanical alignment portions with the coarse mechanical alignment portion including a closely mating pocket and body wherein the pocket has rim and a floor recessed below the rim, and wherein one side of the interconnect is connected to the floor, such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and the fine mechanical alignment portion including a notch defined in one of the pocket and body and a key closely mating with the notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the notch provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; a spring latch facility operable to bias the shoulder portion against the free end face; and one of the pocket and body attached to the male side, the other of the pocket and body attached to the female side.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
250 words
An electronic interconnect assembly comprising: a high speed coaxial interconnect for a coaxial transmission line having a central signal conductor and a surrounding shield conductor, the coaxial interconnect having a male side and a female side; the male side of the interconnect including a male signal portion having an elongated free end extending away from a shoulder portion; female side including a female signal portion having a free end face and defining a bore, and wherein the connection is fully made when the free end of the male portion is received in the bore, and the shoulder portion abuts the free end face; a mechanical alignment facility having coarse and fine mechanical alignment portions with the coarse mechanical alignment portion including a closely mating pocket and body wherein the pocket has rim and a floor recessed below the rim, and wherein one side of the interconnect is connected to the floor, such that the rim provides a first angular displacement limit of the body, and the fine mechanical alignment portion including a notch defined in one of the pocket and body and a key closely mating with the notch defined in the other of the pocket and body such that the notch provides a second angular displacement limit of the body; a spring latch facility operable to bias the shoulder portion against the free end face; and one of the pocket and body attached to the male side, the other of the pocket and body attached to the female side.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the female side includes a shield sleeve defining a chamber for receiving a male shield contact on the male side, the shield sleeve including conductive stop portion operable to contact an end face of a male shield contact when the connection is fully made.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparat of claim 34 wherein the spring latch facility includes a pair of latches positioned on opposite sides of the interconnect, such that a symmetrical biasing force is provided.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 34 including a separate electronic data interconnect having a first side connected to the pocket and a second side connected to the body.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein at least one side of the data interconnect includes compliant contacts operable to contact a corresponding set of contacts on the other side, over a range of depths with which the body is inserted into the pocket, such that an insertion depth established by the coaxial interconnect may be accommodated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |